Born in the heart of Nigeria, Lagos State; Princess Fumi Hancock was raised to appreciate her royal roots from the South Western region of Nigeria, Emure Kingdom, where her family, the Adumori Nigeria Royal Household have ruled since the 1800s’.

After acquiring her first degree in English from one of the most prestigious colleges in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University; she stormed the United States of America with a pen, a script and the dream to change the world. Little did she know that it would take her over thirty years to finally fulfill her dream of becoming a prolific writer and most importantly, one who would have the ability to translate her literary works into movies.

As an author, she has written several inspirational books for women, Beyond Idol Worship: A Diary of an African Warrior Princess; Starting Right Now to name a few! After writing these inspirational books and her return back to African after over 25 years absentia; she reaches out to help her community through her US based nonprofit organization, Adassa Adumori Foundation, Inc. (www.adassafoundation.org); she also decided to venture into the world of young adult fantasy. To her surprise, her very first young adult fantasy, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest became an amazon bestseller! There has been no stopping her since then.

Her new novel, Of Sentimental Value, a mystery and suspense drama is yet another landmark for her. The book was made into a feature film which is scheduled for release soon (www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com). In the advent of its release, it has garnered multiple award interest. It was nominated in the NAFCA African Oscar Peoples’ Choice category for Favorite Trailer and Original Score while the Princess took home the winning trophy as Favorite Screenwriter. Since then, the movie itself has been nominated in the following categories: Best Diaspora Drama and Best Make-up. One of our supporting actors, Malik Yoba was also nominated as Actor in Foreign Film category.

A Twenty-one year old, Young African Immigrant, SIBERIA TONKA has all the ingredients of a successful writer: Commitment, dedication, and drive to become famous. Until her dream of becoming the next bestselling media sensation in America is threatened by an inexplicable cosmic force! Buried and spiraling in unsurmountable debt and a string of misfortune hovering over her, she is forced to pawn her most valuable possession. But when told her sister’s life in Africa hangs in the balance and that would die if artifact is not returned back to the rightful owners, Siberia in desperation sets out to retrieve the artifact at any means necessary. A Mystery enigma is released and the stakes are high! The harder Siberia tries… the closer she seems yet the farther she was from solving the turmoil.

Alas, in the midst of this chaos evolves an undeniably love triangle between Siberia, a wealthy rugged-looking African, but Nashville-based, art collector (Alan) and a simple American consignment store owner (Jake).

Will Siberia retrieve the artifact in time to save her dying sister, Naiya? Who / what wins her heart? Money or True Love?

Q) What inspired you to write this story? It was 2005, at midnight, when I received a frantic call from afar. As I picked up the phone, I felt in my gut that something terrible had happened with my family back in Africa. As I gently picked up the phone, I was visited by waling sounds in the background. It was the cries of my sisters I Africa! My young niece, Yemisi, just died during childbirth! Yemisi was 24 years old. She had been in labor for three days before her live in boyfriend finally dropped her off at the hospital. This was a destiny, which was cut short due to ignorance! You see, Yemisi had left home to be with her boyfriend against everyone’s advice. If she had self worth, if she knew she was beautiful and wonderful; if she knew she deserved the best; if she knew she was wonderful and marvelously made; would she have settled for the that kind of life? What saddens me the most was that I was not able to fulfill the promise I made to her when I was leaving Nigeria. I promised I would bring her here. It never happened! Today, her son is being taken care of by his grandmother who is my sister. Sadly, shortly after her death, her boyfriend died of AIDS!

What inspired this story? Yemisi was Of Sentimental Value. She just did not know it! While this particular story is different for all; there is a common thread which is that as women WE MUST VALUE OURSELVES AND NEVER SETTLE FOR ANYTHING BELOW GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR US.

Q) How long did it take you to write? Whew! Great question. My writing this time was kind of different as I wrote the screenplay first in preparation for the movie itself (www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com ). So with the screenplay in hand, it took just 3 months to write the novel. I have to interject that this is not the typical duration of time for me. My last bestselling novel, the adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest took 2 years because of all the research I had to do to create a location unique for my readers.

Q) What is your favorite thing about writing? Just the ability to take characters and live through their eyes is very captivating for me. It is exhilarating.

Q) What is your least favorite thing about writing? Editing. After I am done writing I find it hard to go back and read what I had written, particularly reading 3 or 4 times.

Q) If you could be any famous person for one day, who would you be and why? Maya Angelou. I love her personality, her philosophy about life. Maya Angelou made us believe we could soar like eagles. Her books are thought provoking and inspirational. Sadly, she has passed and she is greatly missed but her legacy remains forever. Caged Bird Legacy (http://mayaangelou.com/ )

Q) What is the oldest thing in your fridge and how old is it? Oh wow! A bottle of liquid vitamins has been sitting in my refrigerator since last year! Perhaps, I am hoping to drink it through osmosis, as I am not interested in it though I am supposed to be taking it. The bitter taste has turned me off. Hoping one day, I will take up the courage and just drink it.

Q) What can readers expect from you in the future? When asked just few days ago who I was besides being a mother, a wife and an entrepreneur; with the African Oscar win for the movie, Of Sentimental Value; the inspiration for the novel; and the movie itself winning an indiefest film merit award, I can safely conclude that I AM INDEED A SCREENWRITER, AUTHOR, SPEAKER & A TRANSFORMATION CATALYST. So my readers will see my gear up in these roles. I intend to travel across country to meet my readers; to finish my long awaited sequel to The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell, a paranormal & fantasy book and hoping to have one more movie under my belt. Many have asked when will The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell be made into a movie. Who knows what’s out there…Stay tuned: www.worldoffumihancock.com

JOIN THE MOVEMENT. PICK UP YOUR TSHIRT AND MAKE THE MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR~ I AM OF SENTIMENTAL VALUE. Deal With It!